Coke says soda doesn’t cause obesity

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NEW YORK (WTVR) - The world's largest soft-drink maker is fighting back against an attempt to ban super-sized drinks on New York City.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to limit the size of sugary drinks served at restaurants and theaters. Anything larger than 16 ounces would be banned.

But Coca-Cola argues there's no specific link between obesity and sugary drinks. It claims the intake of sugar from drinks fell 39% from 1999 to 2000. During the same time, Coke says the percentage of obese kids rose 13%. The number of overweight adults went up 7%.

Mayor Bloomberg's press secretary insists sugary beverages are a key driver of the obesity crisis, which the mayor says costs the city $4 billion a year in obesity related health care costs.